1. Purpose

1.1 This policy outlines the University’s approach to the remuneration of UniSC Council and specified Council committees.

2. Scope and application

2.1 This policy applies to members of the University Council (excluding the Vice-Chancellor and President, Chairperson of the Academic Board and elected staff members) and external members of the following Council committees:

(a) Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARMC);

(b) Planning and Resources Committee (PRC); and

(c) Honorary Awards Committee (HAC).

(d) Nominations Committee and Executive Committee of Council (NC&ECC)

3. Definitions

3.1 Refer to the University’s Glossary of Terms for definitions as they specifically relate to policy documents.

4. Principles

4.1 The University has the express power to remunerate members of the University Council and specified committees. Remuneration of Council members is in recognition of all associated activities and functions related to Council membership, including attendance at functions, graduation ceremonies, reading and preparation for Council, committee and ad-hoc committee meetings, and travel time.

4.2 Remuneration of external members of the ARMC, PRC, HAC and NC&ECC is in recognition of all associated activities and functions related to committee membership, including reading and preparation for meetings and travel time.

4.3 Remuneration is payable to members of the University Council, excluding the ex-officio position of Vice-Chancellor and President, Chairperson of the Academic Board and elected staff members.

4.4 Reviews of remuneration amounts must include consideration of the outcomes of a review of remuneration amounts at other Australian universities and relevant external reference points. Council can choose to change the level of remuneration after consideration of a review of remuneration.

4.5 A resolution of Council (passed by at least a two-thirds majority of Council members in attendance) is required to approve the payment of remuneration for Council members and external members of the specified committees of Council.

5. Policy

5.1 Remuneration payments

5.1.1 Remuneration is paid fortnightly via the University’s employee payroll system in the usual fortnightly pay run.

5.1.2 Payments are made by the University by direct deposit to an account nominated by the Council or committee member.

5.1.3 Remuneration cannot be made to companies, trusts or any other natural or legal person other than the Council or committee member.

5.1.4 Council or committee members can choose not to be remunerated.

5.1.5 When a Council or committee member chooses not to be remunerated in any way, the University can donate an amount equivalent to that member’s remuneration entitlement to a University-endorsed charitable fund.

5.1.6 All remuneration is exclusive of superannuation.

5.1.7 Remuneration above the government-specified threshold is superannuable at the rate specified by the Australian Superannuation Guarantee.

5.1.8 Taxation is payable on remuneration payments made to members and is deducted from payments made by the University.

5.1.9 Remuneration received by Council members will be reported in the UniSC Annual Report in accordance with reporting requirements for Queensland Government agencies as advised by the Queensland Department of Education.

5.1.10 Council and committee members who commence or retire during a pay period are paid a pro-rata rate based on the weeks that they were members of Council or the committee.

5.1.11 When a Council or committee member is absent from meetings for an extended period without the leave of the Chancellor or does not contribute to or participate in more than 50% of meetings then remuneration payments can be adjusted, reduced or suspended at the discretion of the Chancellor.

5.1.12 Council or committee member absences of more than one scheduled formal meeting per year will result in a review of the member’s remuneration for the committee where they were absent by the NC&ECC. Where a person is a member of more than one Committee, absences are considered separately for each committee. The NC&ECC will be guided in their review of the absences according to the specific circumstances of the absences in question.

5.2 Enterprise Agreement

5.2.1 The University of the Sunshine Coast Enterprise Agreement does not apply to Council or committee members.

5.2.2 Council and committee members who are not UniSC staff are not eligible to receive leave entitlements.

5.3 Insurance

5.3.1 Council or committee members are covered by the University’s Directors and Officers insurance policy.

5.4 Financial advice

5.4.1 It is the responsibility of each individual Council or committee member to seek their own financial, taxation or legal advice in relation to the payment of remuneration.

5.5 External employer approval

5.5.1 When relevant, it is the responsibility of all Council or committee members to receive advice or approval from their employers to receive remuneration from the University.

6. Additional benefits

6.1 In addition to financial remuneration, additional benefits are also provided to the Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor and Council members.

6.2 Additional benefits include:

(a) reasonable expenses incurred on University business; and

(b) other benefits as described in the Council Handbook.

7. Monitoring and reporting

7.1 The Director, Governance and Risk Management is responsible for reporting on remuneration payments to Council members, as part of the UniSC Annual Report and in accordance with the Annual report requirements for Queensland Government agencies.

7.2 Reviews of remuneration amounts must include consideration of the outcomes of a review of remuneration amounts at other Australian universities and relevant external reference points, including the Remuneration procedures for part-time chairs and members of Queensland Government Bodies.

8. Authorities and responsibilities

8.1 As the Approval Authority, Council approves this policy in accordance with the University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998 (Qld).

8.2 As the Responsible Executive Member the Vice-Chancellor and President can approve procedures and guidelines to operationalise this policy. All procedures and guidelines must be compatible with the provisions of this policy.

8.3 As the Designated Officer the Director, Governance and Risk Management can approve associated documents to support the application of this policy. All associated documents must be compatible with the provisions of the policy.

8.4 This policy operates from the last amended date, with all previous iterations of policy on Council remuneration are replaced and no longer operating from this date.

8.5 All records relating to the remuneration of Council members must be stored and managed in accordance with the
Records Management - Procedures.

8.6 This policy must be maintained in accordance with the University Policy Documents - Procedures and reviewed on a standard 5-year policy review cycle.

8.7 Any exception to this policy to enable a more appropriate result must be approved in accordance with the University Policy Documents - Procedures prior to deviation from the policy.

8.8 Refer to Schedule C of the Delegations Manual in relation to the approved delegations detailed within this policy.

8.9 Council remuneration roles

8.9.1 The following roles responsibilities and accountabilities specific to this policy

9. Appendices and supporting documents

Appendix 009: Council Remuneration Payment Amounts (login required)

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